Novelty feeding device, such as a novelty fork, spoon, or the like



Aug. 16, 1966 1. H- FISHLDVE-Z NOVELTY FEEDING DEVICE, SUCH AS A NOVELTY FORK, SPOON, OR THE LIKE Filed NOV. 18, 1964 MAX R KRAUS A'rw United States Patent NOVELTY FEEDING DEVICE, SUCH AS A NOVEL- This invention relates to a novelty feeding device,

such as a novelty fork, spoon, or the like. One of the objects of this invention is to provide a novelty fork or spoon, or the like, which in all outward appearances looks like a conventional fork or spoon and is capable of being so used, however, it has means for extending the handle portion to increase the overall length thereof, which permits a person to reach out a substantial distance and pick up the food or the like. This in effect provides a boardinghouse reach, which is both amusing and entertaining.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novelty fork or spoon which may be readily extended to permit a person to reach a substantial distance beyond that which would normally be possible with a conventional spoon or fork.

Other objects will become apparent as this descriptionprogresses.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the novelty feeding device in the form of a fork, showing same in a conventional retracted position.

FIG. 2 is a view of the same with the handle in extended position.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view thereof.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view with the parts in retracted position.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken on lines 66 of FIG 3.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken on lines 7-7 of FIG 3.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view partly in cross-section of a modification, and

FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken on lines 9-9 of FIG. 8.

Referring to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 7 inclusive, the invention is herein illustrated in the form of a fork, however, it will 'be understood that a spoon or any other feeding device may be made within the purview of this invention. The device is made preferably of metal, although it may be made of plastic or other material.

The fork, designated by the numeral 10, when in retracted position, as shown, has the outward appearance of a conventional fork. The fork end, generally designated by the numeral 12, which includes the conventional tines, has at its inner end a short neck extension 14. Fixedly secured as at 16 to the underside of the neck 14 so as to be normally hidden from view is a rod member 18. The forward end of the rod member 18 is bent as at 20 so that the major axis of the rod is spaced below or offset from the handle portion, to be described.

The rod 18 is preferably square-shaped in transverse section and is telescopingly connected to a first tubular member 22, which in turn is telescopingly connected to a second tubular member 24, which in turn is telescopingly connected to a tubular sleeve 26 fixedly secured to the underside of the handle portion 28.

The tubular sleeve 26 is substantially the length of the handle 28 and is brazed or otherwise fixed to the underside of the handle so that when the handle is held in a 3,266,144 Patented August 16, 1966 conventional manner it will not be visible, such as shown in FIG. 1.

The first and second tubular members 22 and 24, as well as the sleeve 26 on the handle are all square-shaped in cross-section and each is of a slightly progressively larger inside diameter to slidingly accommodate its forward adjacent member. Relative turning between the members is prevented when the device is in its extended position, as shown in FIG. 2. Therod 18 telescopes or slides into the first tubular member 22, with the member 22 telescoping or sliding into the second tubular member 24 and with the member 24 telescoping or sliding into the sleeve 26 when the fork is in its normal retracted position, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5.

Suitable means are provided between the telescoping ends of the members to permit a sliding or telescoping movement and yet prevent uncoupling of the members \when they are in extended position. Means similar to that shown in FIG. 6 may be used at all of such coupled ends. For example, the first tubular member 22 is enlarged or flanged, as at 30, at its rear end to engage an inwardly turned or flanged end 32 at the forward end of the second tubular member 24. This permits relative sliding and telescopic movement between tubular mem- 'bers 22 and 24, but prevents uncoupling therebetween. The other connections between rod 18 and the first tubula=r member 22 and between second tubular member 24 and sleeve 26 may be similarly made.

When the parts are as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the fork appears as a conventional fork and may be handled and used as such. The parts of the fork are so constructed that there is a frictional fit and the parts will be retained in their retracted or collapsed position, as shown. When it is desired to extend the fork, the parts are manually pulled apart or extended to the position shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, in which the telescoping tubes 22 and 24 are moved to their outermost limits relative to each other and to their adjacent members 18 and 26, so that the handle 28 is an appreciable distance from the fork end 12. With a person holding the handle 28 he can reach a substantial distance with the fork end 12 to pick up food or the like. In effect, the person uses the extended fork, shown in FIG. 2, as he would normally use the fork shown in FIG. 1, however, in extended position the reach is increased considerably.

In lieu of the square-shaped sections of the respective telescoping members to prevent relative rotation therebetween, the sections may be made of oval shape or may be of circular shape with cooperating ribs and channels to accomplish the same functions.

In the modification shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the telescoping members are spring biased so that when released the parts will be extended by the action of the spring and will not require a manual sliding. The parts will not be redescribed, except for the differences. The parts corresponding to those previously described will be primed.

A coil spring 34 is positioned within the first and second tubular members 2-2 and 24', with the forward end of the spring bearing against the enlarged end 36 of the rod 18' and the opposite end against the rear wall 38 of the sleeve 26' secured to the underside of the handle 28. The inner end of the neck portion 14' is provided with a recessed lip 40 which is engaged by a detent or catch 42 secured to the forward end of the handle 28'. The detent is secured in a recessed portion 43 to the inside of the handle as at 44 and projects forwardly thereof to engage the lip 40 in the neck of the fork end to lock the parts together against the bias of the spring 34. The detent is operated by a manually depressi-ble button 46 which when depressed disengages the detent from the 3 lip 40 to permit the spring 34 to urge the parts outwardly or away from each other to the extended position, in the manner as shown in FIG. 2.

It'will be understood that various changes and modifications may be made from the foregoing without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A novelty device comprising a handle having a flat top and having the appearance of a conventional handle for such purpose, a feeding end having a neck portion, said feeding end and neck portion having the appearance of a conventional feeding end and neck for such purpose, means between said neck and said handle connecting said feeding end to said handle so that said neck may be moved adjacent the forward end of said handle and when so positioned present the appearance of a conventional feeding device for such purpose, said means comprising a rod and a tubular member with the rod sliding within the tubular member, said rod and tubular member extending longitudinally with the handle, said feeding end adapted to be moved forwardly of said handle to extend a distance forwardly of said handle.

2. A device as set forth in claim 1 in which the feeding end is a fork.

' References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,768,425 6/1930 Smith 30-322 1,809,254 6/1931 Smith 30322 2,735,325 2/1956 Rudd 877 1 3,153,252 10/1964 =Ricciardi 16-115 X WILLIAM FE-LDMAN, Primary Examiner.

JAMES L. JONES, JR., Examiner. 

1. A NOVELTY DEVICE COMPRISING A HANDLE HAVING A FLAT TOP AND HAVING THE APPEARANCE OF A CONVENTIONAL HANDLE FOR SUCH PURPOSE, A FEEDING END HAVING A NECK PORTION, SAID FEEDING END AND NECK PORTION HAVING THE APPEARANCE OF A CONVENTIONAL FEEDING END AND NECK FOR SUCH PURPOSE, MEANS BETWEEN SAID NECK AND SAID HANDLE CONNECTING SAID FEEDING END TO SAID HANDLE SO THAT SAID NECK MAY BE MOVED ADJACENT THE FORWARD END OF SAID HANDLE AND WHEN SO POSITIONED PRESENT THE APPEARANCE OF A CONVENTIONAL FEEDING DEVICE FOR SUCH PURPOSE, SAID MEANS COMPRISING A ROD AND A TUBULAR MEMBER WITH THE ROD SLIDING WITHIN THE TUBULAR MEMBER, SAID ROD AND TUBULAR MEMBER EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY WITH THE HANDLE, SAID FEEDING END ADAPTED TO BE MOVED FORWARDLY OF SAID HANDLE TO EXTEND A DISTANCE FORWARDLY OF SAID HANDLE. 